About Peripheral Neuropathy - Symptoms

Peripheral neuropathy usually starts with numbness, prickling or tingling in the toes or fingers. It may spread up to the feet or hands and cause burning, freezing, throbbing and/or shooting pain that is often worse at night.

The pain can be either constant or periodic, but usually the pain is felt equally on both sides of the body—in both hands or in both feet. Some types of peripheral neuropathy develop suddenly, while others progress more slowly over many years.

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy often include:

A sensation of wearing an invisible "glove" or "sock"

Burning sensation or freezing pain

Sharp, jabbing or electric-like pain

Extreme sensitivity to touch

Difficulty sleeping because of feet and leg pain

Loss of balance and coordination

Muscle weakness

Difficulty walking or moving the arms

Unusual sweating

Abnormalities in blood pressure or pulse

Symptoms such as experiencing weakness or not being able to hold something, not knowing where your feet are, and experiencing pain that feels as if it is stabbing or burning in your limbs, could be signs of peripheral neuropathy.

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may depend on the kind of peripheral nerves that have been damaged.